Picture mounting apparatus



June 30, 1970 s. FINLEY PICTURE MOUNTING APPARATUS Filed sept. 1e, 1968 FIG-.3

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I N VENTOR. SIDNEY F INLEY his ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,517,452 PICTURE MOUNTING APPARATUS Sidney Finley, 3226 Wickham Ave., Bronx, N.Y. 10469 Filed Sept. 16, 1968, Ser. No. 762,246 Int. Cl. G09f 1/10 U.S. Cl. 40--159 3 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A mounting apparatus for the decorative display of pictures or the like is provided, which includes a base member, one or more picture backing members mounted on the base member in overlying relation thereto and a transparent faceplate mounted on each 'backing member so that a picture to be displayed may be positioned between the faceplate and the backing member. A plurality of spring clamps is provided with each backing member and faceplate to retain the faceplate and picture in position on the backing member. A projecting flange is provided along the lower edge of the backing member and serves as a shoulder for aligning the faceplate and picture with the backing member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a mounting frame for pictures or the like, and particularly relates to a mounting frame for the attractive and decorative display of pictures of the snapshort variety.

As often occurs, a persons most prized pictures are not those taken by a professional photographer but rather are those which are taken informally during holiday seasons or other important occasions throughout the year. These pictures are generally mounted in a large photo graph album where they may fbe viewed. In many instances, however, it is desirable to display such candid pictures in the home or ofce where they may be readily seen and enjoyed. Many people have been hesitant to do this, however, because of the danger of damaging the pictures. Moreover, where the pictures are of the snapshot variety it is difficult to obtain suitable frames for mounting the pictures in an attractive manner. This is particularly true when it is desired to mount a group or set of pictures in a single display.

SUMMARY OF THE 'INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a picture mounting apparatus is provided having a base member of any desired shape, one or more smooth picture backing members mounted on and spaced from the base member, and a transparent faceplate mounted in overlying relation with each 'backing member. A picture is placed `between each backing member and its associated faceplate. The picture and faceplate are held in juxtaposition with the backing member by spring clamps and a projecting flange which is carried by the backing member. The spring clamps are circumferentially spaced around the peripheries of the `backing member and the faceplate and are readily removed to facilitate easy changing of the pictures carried by the mounting apparatus. To enhance the over-all beauty of the mounting apparatus, the front surface of the base member may be given an ornamental finish. With the mounting apparatus of the present invention, the pictures to be displayed may be located either on a Patented June 30, 1 970 ICC horizontal surface, such as a desk or table, or on a wall surface, and suitable conventional supports are provided on the mounting apparatus for this purpose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For purposes of illustration, a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a picture mounting apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a partial, sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, a representative embodiment of the picture mounting apparatus in accordance with the present invention, indicated generally at 10, includes a base member 12, a plurality of picture backing members 14 and a transparent faceplate 16 associated with each backing member. The base member 12 is preferably gen erally planar and composed of a lightweight, warp-resistant material such as plywood or Masonite. Although the base member as shown is generally rectangular in plan, it may take any desired shape depending upon the number and size of pictures to be mounted on it and to render the overall apperance of the pictures and apparatus more attractive. To further enhance the attractiveness of the apparatus, the front surface 12a of the base member may be veneered with a suitable ornamental covering and the sides and ends of the base member may be similarly covered. Alternatively, the base member may be painted or stained in any desirable manner in order to match the decor of the room in which it is to be exhibited.

In FIG. l, the base member is shown as having three backing members 14 mounted on its front surface in vertical alignment. It will be apparent, of course, that any number of backing members may be used and that they may Ibe arranged in any desirable configuration. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the backing member 14 may comprise a plastic material, whereas the base member 12 maybe made of wood.

Each backing member is mounted in overlying relation to the front surface 12a of the base member so that'c it is generally parallel with the base member and spaced rom its front surface. For this purpose, a spacer block 18 is interposed between the back surface of the backing member 14 and the front surface of the base member 12. The spacer block 18 is of less lateral extent than its associated backing member to provide a floating and decorative mounting for a picture. Any suitable fastening device may be used to secure the backing members 14 and the spacer blocks 18 to the base member 12. By way of illustration, rivets 20 are shown for this purpose in FIGS. 2 and 3. The number of fastening devices used and their respective locations should be selected so that the backing member 14 is maintained in a xed relation to the base member 12.

As previously mentioned, a transparent faceplate 16 is associated with each backing member 14. The faceplates may be formed of any suitable material, such as glass or plastic. While it is preferred that the faceplates be transparent, they may instead be translucent or partally opaque if desired in order to provide a variation in the manner in which the pictures are presented. Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that each faceplate 16 is coextensive with the backing` member with which it is associated. As will be hereinafter described, the pictures are mounted between the faceplates and the backing members. By making the faceplate and the backing members of the same lateral extent, the likelihood of damage to the edges of the pictures is greatly reduced. In this way, the unsightly frayed edges commonly encountered with unmounted pictures may be avoided.

Each faceplate 16 is mounted in juxtaposiiton with the front surface 14a of a backing member 14 and a depending flange 22, composed of metal or similar rigid material, is provided along the lower edge of each backing member 14 to facilitate holding the faceplate in this position. As is best shown in FIG. 3, the flange 22 is mounted on the backing member 14 so that its upper surface is in alignment with the lower edge of the backing member. Also, the flange projects beyond the front surface 14a of the backing member in a direction away from the base member 12 to an extent that both the faceplate 16 and a picture may be positioned endwise on it. It thus provides a shoulder to receive the lower edges of the faceplate 16 and a picture to be mounted as hereinafter described between the faceplate and the backing member.

The faceplate 16 is retained on the flange 22 and in coextensive alignment with the backing member 14 by a plurality of clamps 24. Each of the clamps 24 is generally U-shaped in cross section and is so dimensioned that the free ends of the clamp are closer together when in the relaxed state than the combined thickness of the backing member 14 and the faceplate 16. Thus the clamps 24 will hold the faceplate 16 in position on the backing member 14 even though no picture is interposed between the faceplate and the backing member. The clamps are preferably formed of a resilient plastic material so that the arms of the clamps will resi'liently urge the faceplate and the backing member toward each other. If the clamps are formed from such a resilient plastic material, it is also preferable that they be transparent so as to keep their interference with the picture to a minimum. Two or more clamps may be used with each faceplate and backing member set, the clamps being spaced circumferentially around the peripheries of the faceplate and the backing member so that a uniform force is delivered to the faceplate to hold it firmly in position with respect to the backing member. The clamps 24 may be easily removed from the position shown in FIG. 2, where they are in clamping engagement with the faceplate and backing member, to permit a picture to be positioned between the faceplate 16 and the backing member 14.

The mounting apparatus as shown in the drawing includes a conventional support hook 28 for purposes of hanging the apparatus on a wall or other vertical surface. Other suitable support devices may be used in place of the hook 28; for example, a decorative string or ribbon could be used to suspend the apparatus from a support on a wall. The apparatus may, of course, be used with the conventional foldingJleg type support if it is to be displayed on a table or desk top.

When it is desired to mount a picture on a given backing member, the picture is cropped to the size of the backing member and then the associated clamps 24 and faceplate 16 are removed so that the picture 26 (FIGS. 2 and 3) may be placed in abutting relation with the backing member 14. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the bottom edge of the picture 26 rests on the flange 22 and thus is held in alignment with the front surface 14a of the backing member 14. After the picture has been positioned on the backing member, the faceplate is brought into juxtaposition with the backing member 14 by placing the llower edge of the faceplate on the flange 22 directly adjacent to the lower edge of the picture 26. The faceplate 16 is then pushed firmly against the picture to urge it into firm abutment with the backing member 14. The clamps 24 are then engaged with the faceplate and backing member to hold the faceplate and the picture in position against the backing member. lf more than one backing member is provided on the base member in the particular apparatus being used, other pictures may then be mounted on the mounting apparatus in a like manner. Upon the completion of the mounting operation, the mounting apparatus is positioned in the place where the pictures are to be displayed. As mentioned above, this may be the wall of a room or office, or it may be on a level surface such as a desk or table. =If the apparatus is to be used on a wall, it is supported by the hook 28.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above described embodiment is intended to be merely exemplary, and that it is susceptible to modification and variation Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the picture mounting apparatus has been shown and described herein for use in a vertical position, it is also adapted for use where a horizontal arrangement is desired. Moreover, the backing members, faceplates, and indeed the base member itself, may be varied in size and shape to accommodate almost any type of picture and arrangements of pictures. All such variations and modifications, therefore, are included within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A picture mounting apparatus comprising a substantially planar base member, at least one substantially planar backing mounted on the base member in spaced relation to and generally parallel therewith, a light-transmitting faceplate and means for removably mounting the faceplate on the backing member in juxtaposition with the front surface thereof, whereby a picture to be displayed may be positioned between the faceplate and the front surface of the backing member.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the backing member has an outwardly extending flange along one edge thereof, the lower edge of the faceplate resting on the upper surface of the flange when the faceplate is mounted in juxtaposition with the front surface of the backing member, and a plurality of U-shaped clamps, each having a pair of arms, engaging the faceplate and the backing member 'between the arms thereof when the faceplate is in juxtaposition With the front surface of the backing member to urge the faceplate toward the backing member, the U-shaped clamps being spaced around the peripheries of the backing member and the faceplate.

3. An'apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the faceplate and the U-shaped clamps are transparent and wherein the faceplate is coextensive with the front surface of the backing member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,193,296 3/1940 Pienzak 40`159 2,176,535 10/1939 Markoff 40-159 3,251,151 5/1966 Sherrill 40-16 3,444,638 5/1969 Jahn 40-158 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner W. I. CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 40--16 

